Soft Systems Methodology in Technology Management Practices

Technology management (TM) is a series of management disciplines designed to manage the technological fundamentals of the organizations for creation of competitive benefits. A successful technological development and commercialization can be rarely accomplished through diffused and undirected efforts. In such a complex situation, modeling can play a decisive role in the analysis of complexities and management of the dynamics of technology-based companies. In this context, the chapter describes five processes of TM, namely identification, selection, acquisition, protection, and exploitation. Soft systems methodology (SSM) is one of the soft operations research (OR) tools and techniques that can be implemented in TM phases as a hard OR. Furthermore, two case studies that addressed the use of SSM in policymaking to commercialize the new technologies and technology scenario planning in a research and development (R&D) organization will be also reviewed.

Multi-Methodology Approach

The pluralistic approach in today's world needs combining multiple methods, whether hard or soft, into a multi-methodology intervention. The methodologies can be combined, sometimes from several different paradigms, including hard and soft, in the form of a multi-methodology so that the hard paradigms are positivistic and see the organizational environment as objective, while the nature of soft paradigms is interpretive. In this chapter, the combination of methodologies has been examined using soft systems methodologies (SSM) and simulation methodologies including discrete event simulation (DES), system dynamics (SD), and agent-based modeling (ABM). Also, using the ontological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions underlying the respective paradigms, the difference between SD, ABM, SSM; a synthesis of SSM and SD generally known as soft system dynamics methodology (SSDM); and a promising integration of SSM and ABM referred to as soft systems agent-based methodology (SSABM) have been proven.

Soft Systems Methodology in IT-Related Organizational Change

Any organization needs information technologies (IT) to attain efficient process and make effective decisions. The main discussion of this study is focused on IT as a reason of change in an organization. Besides providing a definition for information systems (IS), this chapter aims at explaining soft systems methodology (SSM) as an IS development methodology. Considering seven elements of philosophy, model, techniques and tools, scope, output, practice, and product, it clarified the SSM position in other methodologies. In this concern, it revealed the main concern of using SSM in the development of information systems (i.e., meeting the real needs of the organization through generating meaningful information based on the available data) as represented in five case studies of SSM in IT-related organizational change.

Using Soft Systems Methodology for the Analysis of Sustainable Energy Initiatives

The chapter is devoted to the energy efficiency analysis as a prerequisite for sustainable use of energy. In this regard, the current study is focused on the application of soft systems methodology (SSM) and its role as a problem structuring approach to analyze the energy efficiency initiatives. For this purpose, four research works were addressed. The mentioned researches employed a combination of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and (SSM) to assess the energy efficiency initiatives. The obtained results included the role of key players in rich pictures with a potential interest in a system for energy efficiency initiatives evaluations, the definition of the root, CATWOE components, and a conceptual model. The results of such processes could be applied in the establishment of a sufficiently accurate decision model capable of offering structured support giving rise to a more informed decision in terms of the energy efficiency measures implementation.

An Introduction to Soft Systems Methodology

Soft systems methodology (SSM) is the outcome of a real-world action research program that uses the idea of systems to improve poorly defined, so-called soft problem areas. Theory and practice of SSM arouse interest and encourage discussions from various backgrounds by academics and practitioners. In order to introduce SSM for use in the real world, this chapter begins with different definitions and methodologies of systems thinking. Then, SSM defines the seven technical analysis steps, including the soft systems thinking and the necessary techniques such as rich picture, CATWOE analysis, root definition, and conceptual modeling. SSM has organizational analysis and practical applications in the industry sector that are reviewed and classified.

Application of Soft Systems Methodology to the Real-World Processes of Human Resource Management

Systems approach to human resource management (HRM) regards it as a unified and purposeful system containing interrelated parts. In order to develop HR decisions and practices, the soft systems methodology (SSM), as an approach, causes a better understanding of the system and more meaningful decision making. Various applications of SSM in HRM were reviewed in this chapter, including employee participation, group creativity, HR development, HR maintenance, and knowledge worker productivity. The main discussion of this chapter is that SSM can strongly improve the intersubjective understanding necessary for effective group development and progress. It is especially helpful to challenge paradigms, leading to enhanced group creativity. The issue of current HR development resulting from the lack of any argument on the central role of SSM in this development was another topic. Finally, low knowledge worker productivity through SSM was explained.

Soft Systems Methodology for Organizational Culture Analysis

The main purpose of this chapter is to present the interlinkage of soft systems methodology (SSM) and organizational culture. Often, organizations find themselves within a problematic situation connected with cultural issues. Analysis of such issues is complex because of the numerous stakeholders involved and the multi-faceted and dynamic nature of the culture. This chapter focuses on organizational culture, which is among the most important assets on which an organization rely, particularly for the sake of change management. Here the authors begin with a review on the concept of organizational culture and proceed to discuss the factors affecting the organizational culture and then present a model of organizational culture, cultural aspects of SSM, and a real-world application of SSM in the form of a case study of corporate ethical culture analysis.

The Use of Soft Systems Methodology for Change Management

Due to the gap in our knowledge of soft systems methodology (SMS) and organizational change management, this chapter seeks to develop new knowledge that explains the use of SMS as an intervention measure in optimizing change. Using SSM, leaders are able to see the big picture, consequences of their measures in a larger environment, and provide effective, long-term, and sustainable solutions. Here are some case studies on subjects related to issues of stakeholder selection and management, communication assumptions in SSM, the facilitator's ambiguous role, and the impact of highly politicized problem environments on the methodology effectiveness in the change process.

Project Management

This chapter seeks to explain possible uses of the soft systems methodology (SSM) for project management (PM) when uncertain and sometimes conflicting aims are being pursued. To this end, two topics were considered: (1) application of SSM for funds allocation planning among major development projects and (2) feasibility of industrial projects considering their compliance with principles of sustainable development. The focus of the SSM is on the so-called human activity system (HAS), synergizing all stakeholders towards a single goal. PM, on the other hand, not only deals with the HAS, but also manages organization-wide initiatives participated by a wide variety of stakeholders. In this respect, SSM can contribute to better implementation of the PM initiatives, thereby enhancing the obtained gains.

Soft Systems Methodology as an Approach to the Management of Education

Soft systems methodology (SSM) as an action research process has been applied to education systems and, according to the main objective of this chapter to design an improved education system, the applications of SSM in the process of teaching and learning, educational planning, analysis of the examinations department, an educational context for enhancing students' perception and understanding, the cheating problem in the national examination in Indonesia, and personalized learning environment are reviewed. The SSM can be used to analyze the system through providing a deeper understanding as well as the possibility of more clearly capturing the change, which is necessary to prepare the ideal education system that will satisfy the concerned people, specifically students and lecturers.